Post 10 can't deliver clutch hits in 6-4 loss

Published: Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 11:22 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 11:22 p.m.

Wilmington Post 10 entered Sunday’s North Carolina-South Carolina American Legion Baseball Challenge finale owning the only two victories for its state.

But Wilmington wasn’t able to complete a weekend sweep of its competition, as it stranded 10 runners and lost 6-4 to Murrells Inlet Post 178 in seven innings. South Carolina won 9 of the 11 games played in the eighth annual tournament.

Post 10 had at least one base runner reach every inning and scored in four different innings, but they struggled to find key hits when needed. Despite Collin Thacker reaching on an error and Ward Coleman drawing a walk in the bottom of the seventh, Wilmington couldn’t capitalize during its next two at-bats with the go-ahead run at home plate.

Post 10 coach Thomas Bowker said the team needs to refine its offensive approaches.

“We chased a lot of bad pitches,” Bowker said. “We just have to be a little tougher in there. they’re not committed in (the box) right now mentally.”

Post 10 opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Thacker singled in Corey Everett for a 1-0 lead, but Post 178 responded with three runs in the third and didn’t lose momentum.

“When the game started, we hit three baseballs right on the button and I thought it was gonna be a good day,” Bowker said. “We were in some pretty big situations and had some rough at-bats. We popped up way too much.”

In the bottom of the fourth, Wilmington loaded the bases before Jon Kuebler stepped to the plate an bunted a ball that rolled to third base and stayed just inches in fair territory for an RBI infield single. But the next two batters were unable to reach safely and Post 10 ended the inning with the bases loaded.

“I try to do whatever I can do to get on base and I know running is one of my strengths,” Kuebler said. “I just try to be aware as I can on the basepaths and move up when I can.”

Post 10 appeared to be making another comeback in the fifth inning when Thacker hit a solo home run to left-center field, but Wilmington only scored once more when Kuebler scored on a wild pitch after reaching base with a walk in the sixth.

“We were anxious up there (at the plate),” Kuebler said. “We were just trying to muscle the ball, but we need to just let the ball travel and be patient.”

Donovan Francis started on the hill for Post 10, but allowed five runs in just four innings pitched to pick up the loss. Two of those runs came on one swing of the bat, as Murrells Inlet pitcher Trent Revis hit a home run over the left field fence to give his team the lead.

“The energy was very, very low for whatever reason, which I can’t explain,” Bowker said. “The first two games we were in there and focused … it was just a different feel.”

Bowker continued to say that the team’s chemistry might have been disrupted with the return of players who had missed the first two games.

“I think with a day off (Monday) and a day off Tuesday, we’ll be ready for Wednesday and Thursday,” Bowker said. “We’re gonna go hard at practice.”

<p>Wilmington Post 10 entered Sunday's North Carolina-South Carolina American Legion Baseball Challenge finale owning the only two victories for its state.</p><p>But Wilmington wasn't able to complete a weekend sweep of its competition, as it stranded 10 runners and lost 6-4 to Murrells Inlet Post 178 in seven innings. South Carolina won 9 of the 11 games played in the eighth annual tournament.</p><p>Post 10 had at least one base runner reach every inning and scored in four different innings, but they struggled to find key hits when needed. Despite Collin Thacker reaching on an error and Ward Coleman drawing a walk in the bottom of the seventh, Wilmington couldn't capitalize during its next two at-bats with the go-ahead run at home plate.</p><p>Post 10 coach Thomas Bowker said the team needs to refine its offensive approaches.</p><p>“We chased a lot of bad pitches,” Bowker said. “We just have to be a little tougher in there. they're not committed in (the box) right now mentally.”</p><p>Post 10 opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Thacker singled in Corey Everett for a 1-0 lead, but Post 178 responded with three runs in the third and didn't lose momentum.</p><p>“When the game started, we hit three baseballs right on the button and I thought it was gonna be a good day,” Bowker said. “We were in some pretty big situations and had some rough at-bats. We popped up way too much.”</p><p>In the bottom of the fourth, Wilmington loaded the bases before Jon Kuebler stepped to the plate an bunted a ball that rolled to third base and stayed just inches in fair territory for an RBI infield single. But the next two batters were unable to reach safely and Post 10 ended the inning with the bases loaded.</p><p>“I try to do whatever I can do to get on base and I know running is one of my strengths,” Kuebler said. “I just try to be aware as I can on the basepaths and move up when I can.”</p><p>Post 10 appeared to be making another comeback in the fifth inning when Thacker hit a solo home run to left-center field, but Wilmington only scored once more when Kuebler scored on a wild pitch after reaching base with a walk in the sixth.</p><p>“We were anxious up there (at the plate),” Kuebler said. “We were just trying to muscle the ball, but we need to just let the ball travel and be patient.”</p><p>Donovan Francis started on the hill for Post 10, but allowed five runs in just four innings pitched to pick up the loss. Two of those runs came on one swing of the bat, as Murrells Inlet pitcher Trent Revis hit a home run over the left field fence to give his team the lead.</p><p>“The energy was very, very low for whatever reason, which I can't explain,” Bowker said. “The first two games we were in there and focused … it was just a different feel.”</p><p>Bowker continued to say that the team's chemistry might have been disrupted with the return of players who had missed the first two games. </p><p>“I think with a day off (Monday) and a day off Tuesday, we'll be ready for Wednesday and Thursday,” Bowker said. “We're gonna go hard at practice.”</p><p>Chad Lindskog: 343-2366</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @chadlindskog</p>